Food Banks

Food Banks have been in the news. 

There are more of them springing up all over the country, seeking to enable the poorest in society to feed their families, while their own income declines. Many of these were established by groups of churches, and have been run effectively by volunteers from all sections of society. Very soon, Woking will have a Food Bank established, as Christian groups and others have been in discussion with Woking Borough Council. 

The Food Bank for Goldsworth Park will be based at the Salvation Army centre, on Sythwood. The staff there are already 'open for business', and are looking to local Christians to supply what is needed. Details about how we can help will be available shortly.

Very close at hand is another source of food for free, the ripening blackberries all across the hedgerows and in wild places. As it only requires time and an empty container to come away with loads of free food, many people could be getting nourishment without expense - if they knew how to use the fruit!

When we consider our spiritual lives, the Bible is the obvious Food Bank which we need. 

Jesus, in his wilderness fast, was tempted by the devil to satisfy his physical hunger with a miracle of turning stones into bread. The way in which he responded is striking. 'But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4.4) Interestingly, Jesus' reply comes from the story of the Exodus, in the book of Deuteronomy. He must have remembered those particular words, and used them in his time of temptation. It makes me wonder whether I will have the necessary words remembered, for times of testing.

In a culture that is obsessed with food - and I myself am in danger of being far too interested in food - I need to recall this basic truth - my soul needs feeding. That doesn't happen by magic, nor by chance. I have to give time and attention to feeding deeply on both the words that I read, and their meaning and application into my life. If I am too busy or preoccupied to read and reflect on Scripture, then I am too busy. My spiritual life demands change, or I starve and go under.

I need to ask myself, 'How am I feeding my soul?'

Best wishes,

Richard